Iraq and the international community must boost
protection of the internally displaced as crisis deepens – UN expert
GENEVA (19 May 2015) – The United Nations Special
Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani,
today urged the Government of Iraq to step-up its efforts and give a higher
priority to nearly three million internally displaced persons (IDPs). He also
called on the international community not to turn its back on the situation in
light of a significant shortfall in humanitarian funding.
“Despite some positive steps by the Government, its
approach to the displacement crisis has been largely ad hoc to-date. It must
intensify its efforts and devote greater resources, planning and attention to
the needs of IDPs,” Mr. Beyani said after his first official visit* to Iraq
(9-15 May).
The human rights expert warned that the prospect of new
waves of displacement requires a level of preparedness and urgent response that
has been absent so far. “Disturbing ongoing developments, including the fall of
Ramadi to ISIS, and possible Government offensives to regain lost cities
including Mosul, will certainly result in massive new displacement,” he said.
“Measures must be taken to ensure protection and that needs, including shelter
and humanitarian assistance, are prepared for a potentially deteriorating and
nation-wide IDP crisis in Iraq.”
“Despite the challenges in the short, medium and
long-term, it is imperative that the international community recognizes its
responsibilities and remains a consistent and reliable humanitarian partner,”
the UN expert stressed. “Agencies are stretched thin and unable to address all
urgent needs. They can only work with the resources that they have and those
are grossly inadequate at the present time.”
Mr. Beyani highlighted that those internally displaced in
Iraq number close to 3 million and growing. “IDPs from all ethnic and religious
communities are surviving in precarious conditions, often under the threat of
violence and further displacement and with inadequate shelter, healthcare, food
and water”, he stated. “The situation of hundreds of thousands of IDPs living
in areas controlled by ISIS is unclear and deeply worrying.”
“Access to humanitarian assistance for many IDPs is poor
and must improve. This means ensuring access to humanitarian actors,” Mr.
Beyani said. “Many IDPs have also lost documents and face bureaucratic barriers
to receiving assistance. One family told aid workers ‘we could not save our
daughter, how could we save our documents?’”
The expert visited IDPs living in cramped, substandard
conditions in collective shelters and unfinished buildings. However most live
with host families putting a heavy burden on them that must also be recognized
and addressed. As their resources dwindle, IDPs in rented accommodation may
face eviction.
The Special Rapporteur noted that a one-off cash payment
to families of 700 USD (1 million Iraqi Dinar), “while welcome, is insufficient
even to cover basic needs including shelter, food, and essential items for more
than a few weeks.”
“The approaching stifling summer temperatures require
measures to create adequate living conditions and prevent illness and the
spread of disease as temperatures soar. The wellbeing of the elderly, persons
with disability, pregnant women and other highly vulnerable persons must be a
highest priority,” he said.
Many IDPs face suspicion and are barred entry to some
safe locations on security grounds, due to their identity or place of origin,
potentially putting them at risk. At least 100 families previously had to
return from Baghdad to Ramadi where their homes had been damaged when ISIS
still controlled much of the city. Now that the city has reportedly fallen, the
Government must allow the newly displaced from Ramadi to freely enter Baghdad
and other safe places. The Babylon Governorate has refused to admit displaced
men between 15 and 50, causing family separation as only women and children are
allowed entry.
Mr. Beyani expressed concern at the arrest and detention
of IDPs, including with regard to due process, conditions and duration of
detention and access by family members.
“While legitimate security concerns exist, including that
ISIS may infiltrate IDP communities, the overwhelming majority of IDPs are
innocent victims of the conflict and must be treated as such on protection and
humanitarian grounds,” the Special Rapporteur concluded.
The Special Rapporteur will produce a full report and
recommendations to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council.
(*) Check the Special Rapporteur’s full end-of-mission
statement: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15979&LangID=E
ENDS
Chaloka Beyani, professor of international law at the
London School of Economics, was appointed Special Rapporteur on the Human
Rights of Internally Displaced Persons by the Human Rights Council in September
2010. Learn more, visit:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/IDPersonsIndex.aspx
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest
body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name
of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that
address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of
the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not
UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from
any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
Check the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/Standards.aspx
UN Human Rights, country page – Iraq:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/IQIndex.aspx
For further information and media inquiries, please
contact Graham Fox (+41 22 917 9640 / gfox@ohchr.org) or write to idp@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent
experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917
9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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